Written answers
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Special Areas of Conservation
9:00 pm
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of land, on a county basis and nationwide, that has been designated as included in special areas of conservation; the percentage guideline set by the EU in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12087/07]
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason no consultation took place with persons affected in the recent designation of lands as special areas of conservation in view of the impact this will have to land owners, land values and the future plans for the lands involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12088/07]
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of land of an area (details supplied) in County Mayo that has been designated as included in a special area of conservation; if objections have been lodged in this regard; and when a decision will be made on those objections. [12105/07]
Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 279, inclusive, together.
The following table shows the breakdown by county of hectarage proposed for designation as SAC. The European Commission does not offer a guideline on the percentage of national coverage that should be designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
| County | Area of county in HA | cSAC Area in HA | % Land covered by proposed cSACs |
| County Clare | 319,773.09 | 38,398.90 | 12.01 |
| County Cork | 746,569.42 | 24,011.46 | 3.22 |
| County Cavan | 193,542.25 | 11,786.93 | 6.09 |
| County Carlow | 89,627.19 | 4,417.36 | 4.93 |
| County Donegal | 485,617.55 | 85,425.48 | 17.59 |
| County Dublin | 92,565.89 | 3,859.27 | 4.17 |
| County Galway | 612,429.28 | 129,270.64 | 21.11 |
| County Kildare | 169,535.88 | 1,728.12 | 1.02 |
| County Kerry | 475,000.06 | 119,697.04 | 25.20 |
| County Kilkenny | 206,337.18 | 4,285.13 | 2.08 |
| County Laois | 172,001.03 | 6,491.78 | 3.77 |
| County Leitrim | 159,009.41 | 17,842.05 | 11.22 |
| County Longford | 109,129.37 | 5,989.52 | 5.49 |
| County Louth | 82,559.06 | 3,861.56 | 4.68 |
| County Limerick | 268,557.32 | 5,999.64 | 2.23 |
| County Mayo | 559,763.32 | 124,702.53 | 22.28 |
| County Meath | 234,206.74 | 2,494.74 | 1.07 |
| County Monaghan | 129,544.64 | 49.45 | 0.04 |
| County Offaly | 200,103.48 | 6,486.69 | 3.24 |
| County Roscommon | 254,800.27 | 13,690.94 | 5.37 |
| County Sligo | 183,670.00 | 25,210.11 | 13.73 |
| County Tipperary | 425,455.04 | 14,509.29 | 3.41 |
| County Waterford | 183,812.93 | 10,392.32 | 5.65 |
| County Wicklow | 202,662.58 | 32,367.12 | 15.97 |
| County Westmeath | 183,950.36 | 9,490.51 | 5.16 |
| County Wexford | 235,889.00 | 6,570.63 | 2.79 |
| Total (National figures excluding proposed marine SACs) | 6,976,112.31 | 709,029.25 | 10.16 |
Public consultation on proposed designation of areas as proposed SAC is provided for under the Habitats Regulations 1997-2005. Any person notified or with an interest in the land involved may within a period of three months lodge an objection to the proposal.
My Department has received 33 objections to the proposed SAC to be known as Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex to which it is assumed Question No. 279 refers. These objections were received in early March and are under examination at present. Decisions will issue to the objectors as soon as possible.
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